Surrendering Your Pet

Admissions – Stray Pets & Owner Surrenders

Stray Pets

Surrendering Your Pet

Before You Decide to Surrender
We understand that life sometimes throws us curve balls which result in a need for people to re-home their pets. It can be a difficult and painful decision to surrender an animal. Please call the shelter at 740-323-2100 to discuss surrendering your pet.

If you are considering surrender due to behavioral issues or because your pet has become unmanageable in some way, we encourage you to discuss your situation with someone at the shelter. We may be able to offer solutions or resources that would allow you to live harmoniously with your pet dog or cat.

What You Should Know

There is a common misconception that the shelter is ready and able to accept any animal at any time. The Licking County Humane Society is a managed-intake facility. As the shelter has limited space and resources, we are unable to accept animals on the spot in the majority of cases. We also maintain a list of animals already awaiting entry. While we make every effort to honor the waiting list, several factors may prevent us from accepting animals strictly on a first come, first serve basis.

We are only able to accept adoptable pets of reasonably sound health and temperament. Animals with health or behavioral issues that could pose a risk to humans, other animals or property, or any other condition that would prohibit them from placement in an adoptive home, cannot be accepted.

There is a surrender fee of $30 for animals that have been spayed/neutered and $45 for those that have not been altered.

What Should I Do If I Need to Surrender a Pet?

Contact the Shelter at (740) 323-2100 or info@lchspets.org and speak with a coordinator to discuss your request.

An intake coordinator will either schedule an appointment for intake or add you to the waiting list. If you are placed on the waiting list, you will be contacted if and when the animal can be accepted.

You should continue to search for other options while on the waiting list.